Carter cracked for four weeks

All Black flyhalf Dan Carter will be sidelined for at least half of the Rugby Championship after cracking a fibula in the Super Rugby Final.

All Black flyhalf Dan Carter will be sidelined for at least half of New Zealand's Rugby Championship campaign after cracking a fibula in last weekend's Super Rugby Final.

Carter left the field during the Crusaders' 32-33 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney after an injury to his lower leg, which the franchise said was a hairline crack to the bone which would need at least four weeks to heal.

"A scan has revealed a small crack in his upper fibula. The size of the crack meant it was not originally picked up by an X-ray and required a scan to locate it," the Crusaders said.

"The injury just requires rest to heal and it is hoped that his recovery will take approximately four weeks."

The 100-Test flyhalf will definitely miss New Zealand's opening two Championship fixtures against Australia, where the Bledisloe Cup will be on the line, as well as a Test against Argentina in Napier on September 6.

If his recuperation takes longer than expected, he could also miss a clash against the Springboks in Wellington a week later.

The 32-year-old had been coming back from an extended break that began at the end of last year and saw him sit out most of the Super Rugby season.

The injuries from the Crusaders did not end there with lock Dominic Bird in doubt with an injured toe and prop Wyatt Crocket recovering from a hurt knee.